TRAVEL INSURANCE
Q. What is "Travel Insurance?" |
Q.1. Does my home medical insurance cover me on a domestic trip? Q.2. Does Travel Insurance cover illness? Q. 3. What about injury? Q. 4. What will Travel Insurance NOT cover? Q. 5. Can I buy Travel Insurance for more than one trip? Q. 6 When should I buy Travel Insurance? Q.7 What is a "pre-existing condition?" Q. 8. How much does Travel Insurance cost? Q. 9. When does my coverage start and end? Q. 10. What is a "Look back Period?" Q. 11. Can I get insurance for a "pre-existing condition?" Q. 12. If I get sick or injured while traveling, what do I do? Q. 13. Can I still buy Travel Insurance after I make my trip deposit? Q. 14. I don't reside in the U S A. Can I buy a plan? Q. 15. I am not traveling to the U S A. Can I buy a plan? Q. 16. Can I buy "Terrorism" coverage? Q. 17. What is "medical evacuation?" Q. 18. If I can't complete my trip, can I get a refund? Q. 19. What is "repatriation?" Q. 20. Do I need a travel agent to buy Travel Insurance? Q. 21. Does my home medical insurance cover me on a domestic ( US) trip? Q. 22. What about foreign travel? (outside the US). Q. 23. What deductible should I select? Q. 24. What are the different types of policies available? |
| A. 1 It depends upon where you are traveling and the type of plan you have. If you are a U S resident traveling in the U S, your medical plan may provide some
benefits out of state, but probably very little out of country. If you have an HMO plan, your coverage usually will not extend beyond the area serviced by your medical group, except for emergencies. If you have
Medicare, you have Medicare benefits anywhere in the U S, but not out of the country. Your home and belongings plan may offer benefits within the US, but very limited out of the country. We recommend that you
review your medical and home policies to better understand their limits. Return to Top A. 2. Only if you choose a policy that includes a "medical benefit." Then you often have a choice of the total benefit amount, the deductible amount, etc. Each of these features affect the policy premium.
A. 3. Same as "illness" above. A. 4. While there are many similarities in the "Exclusions" section of policies from different companies, it is important to read the "Exclusions" section before you purchase your plan. We read them regularly,
and use these conditions when determining the best plan to recommend for your trip. (For example, HTH International lists 57 excluded items and situations. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you should be
aware!). One of the most important exclusions for you to understand is the "Pre-Existing Condition" exclusion in many Medical plans. It is discussed below. A. 5. Yes. The companies we recommend offer both single trip and coverage for up to one year. This will allow you to leave and return to your home as often as you wish, while still maintaining your
International coverage. This feature is particularly valuable to business travelers. A. 6. The sooner the better. When you are not rushed, you can review the plans and get your questions answered. So, as soon as your plans are finalized and dates set, go to the "quotes" section and start
shopping! You will find many interesting features and benefits you probably weren't aware of. A. 7. Here is one definition. Most companies generally follow this theme, although each may have a slightly different approach: "Pre-existing Condition means a medical condition for which medical advice,
diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received during the six (6) months immediately preceding the Insured Person's Effective Date of Coverage." A. 8. Here are some examples of two different parties traveling for a variety of purposes. For these examples, we will use a couple ages 64 and 61; and a single traveler age 37:
A. 9. Your coverage becomes effective on the latest of: the moment we receive your Application and correct premium (if Application and payment is made online or by fax), 12:01am US Eastern Standard Time on the
date we receive your Application and payment (if Application and payment is made by mail), the moment you depart from your Home Country, or 12:01am US Eastern Standard Time on the date you request on your
Application. Your coverage will end on the earliest of: 12:01am US Eastern Standard Time on the last day of the period for which you have paid a premium, 12:01am US Eastern Standard Time on the date requested
on your Application, or the moment of your arrival upon return to your Home Country (unless you have started a Benefit Period or are eligible for Home Country Coverage). A. 10. The "Look back Period" relates to a "pre-existing condition." If you don't have one, then it is of no concern. However, suppose you have a digestive disorder that is fully controlled without change in
diagnosis, treatment or medication in the last 6 months, for example, then you would not have a "pre-existing condition." The 6 months is the "Look Back Period." Read the "Exclusions" section of the contract
before you purchase your plan to confirm your status. A. 11. Yes, from some companies, and under conditions spelled out in the company's policy. A. 12. Seek medical assistance immediately. If you don't know where to find assistance, most companies will provide 24/7 telephone access to their "help lines" to assist you in locating a doctor wherever you
are. If special treatment or surgery is required, "pre-authorization" may be necessary. See your contract or call the number on your insurance card for instructions. A. 13. Yes. A. 14. Yes. A. 15. Yes A. 16. Yes A. 17. If recommended by your attending Physician, who certifies that Evacuation is necessary to safeguard your life and that Medically Necessary treatment is not available locally, and if approved in advance
and coordinated by the insurer, companies will provide Emergency air and/or ground transportation to the nearest Hospital that is qualified to provide the Medically Necessary treatment. A. 18. There are at least 2 situations where you could apply for a refund. Each policy has different conditions, so it is important that you review the coverage before you buy: A. 19. In the event of a covered Injury or Illness resulting in your death, the Insurance Company will provide Air and/or ground transportation of bodily remains or ashes to the area of your Principal
Residence, and reasonable costs of preparation of your remains necessary for transportation. A. 20. No, you can buy directly at this website. Often, we can provide a wider range of plan selections, and a great deal more information, since we specialize in Travel Insurance products.
A. 21. Possibly. If you are enrolled in PPO plan, you may have full or limited coverage in any state. If you are enrolled in an HMO plan, your coverage is usually limited to the area serviced by your Medical
group (except for emergencies). If you are enrolled in Medicare, you have Medicare benefits anywhere in the USA. Please check your policy before you travel. A. 22. Probably not, except for extreme emergencies. Check your policy before you travel. A. 23. That depends on your budget. Remember that foreign medical expenses are usually somewhat less than US charges. So, if you are traveling outside the US, you may want to select a lower ($0 -$50) than you
would if you were in the US. Each plan has a choice of deductibles, and the premium is lower as you select a higher level of deductible. A. 24 Package Policies are designed for travelers going
on a single trip. They can be used for Cruises, Tours, Flights, House Rentals and a world of other trip types. Most offer Trip Cancellation, Baggage, Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation, 24 Hour Traveler
Assistance, Baggage Delay, Travel Delay, and Accidental Death Coverages. Some policies also have options for Collision/Damage coverage for rented cars, Flight Insurance (a form of Accidental Death Coverage
while flying only) and added Emergency Evacuation insurance. Some package policies include coverage for children at no extra charge. Travel Medical Policies. provide Medical Coverage for travel up to a year in length. Some include coverage for evacuation, flight, accidental death, limited baggage, and trip interruption. Multi-Trip Medical Policies provide annual Medical Coverage for multiple trips throughout the year. All policies have trip length restrictions of either 15, 30 or 70 days. Some include coverage for evacuation, flight, accidental death, limited baggage, and trip interruption. Medical Evacuation Policies provide protection for travelers in the event they become seriously ill or injured while traveling. They provide emergency medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate care facility or on some plans, to your hospital of choice. They also include coverage for repatriation of mortal remains. Flight Accident Policies are designed for travelers going on a single trip and provide coverage for Flight Accident Insurance (a form of Accidental Death Coverage while flying). Travel Major Medical Policies are designed for travelers who are going abroad for at least 6 months and require more permanent insurance. These plans provide comprehensive medical protection including emergency medical treatment, wellness care and optional prescription drug coverage. Like most major medical policies, these plans contain both in and out of network coverage, deductibles and co-payments and have the added travel benefits of accidental death and emergency medical evacuation protection. Accidental Death Policies A
D & D policies (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) are designed for travelers going on a single trip, or can be written on an annual basis for individuals, businesses or groups.
These policies provide protection in the event of a loss of life or dismemberment injury sustained while traveling. |